Modified water bitumen emulsion

GlobeCore manufactures high quality UMB type systems for production of modified bitumen emulsions.

water-bitumen emulsion produced in Malaysia with Globe Core equipment

Water bitumen emulsions have significant advantages over hot mastics and organic solusions. However,  regular bitumen emulsions do not always conform to the high modern demands and loads, which is detrimental to the durability and strength of road top. Therefore, the demand in the industry shifts towards modified emulsions, which allow to circumvent the drawbacks.

The process of modification is in essence combining of bitumen emulsions with synthetic polymer additives. Such materials are called polymer-bitumen or rubber-bitumen emulsions..

There are three methods of water-bitumen emulsions modification:

  • modification of bitumen and subsequent emulsification;

  • injection of polymer during preparation of water-bitumen emulsion;

  • mixing of two independent emulsions: introduction of polymer emulsion mix into a prepared bitumen emulsion.

When a special polymer is introduced into the emulsion, the properties of the emulsion are improved: service life of the road, temperature range, elasticity and strain resistance. Research shows that using polymer modified bitumen emulsion increases road top durability: bitumen extracted after a decade of operation shows no substantial change of viscosity.

High molecular compounds, used for modification of bitumen emulsions, can be divided into several types: thermoplastic materials, elastomers, thermoelastoplastic materials (block copolymer of bivinyl and styrol) and reactoplastic materials. Modified bitumen emulsions can be also prepared by introducing other components: inorganic salts, asphalts, synthetic or natural resins.

Various polymers have their specifics, which directly influences the product. E.g. thermoplastic polymers improve bitumen emulsion viscosity and hardness, while elastimers ensures high elasticity and operation in a wider temperature range. The most widespread thermoelastoplastic polymer used in road construction and repair is styrol-butadiene-styrol, known for cold resistance and elasticity.

Apart from the road construction industry, polymer bitumen emulsions are actively used as insulation material, protecting structures and buildings from water and its destructive influence.

 

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